After weeks of speculation, the Catalan club has announced that Sergio Aguero has joined FC Barcelona.
Sergio Aguero played his last match for Manchester City on Saturday and completed his transfer on Monday. The 32 year old signed a contract which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2023 season.
✍️ @aguerosergiokun
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 31, 2021
💙❤️ #KunCuler
CONMEBOL have confirmed that the Copa America will not be held in Argentina.
A decision has been made after days and weeks of speculation. While the Copa America was initially supposed to be held in both Colombia and Argentina, Colombia had to drop out of being the host due to social and COVID problems in the country.
That left Argentina as potential hosts for the tournament. A final decision was expected on Monday but CONMEBOL announced it through Twitter that the Copa won’t be held in Argentina and that they are looking at other countries as potential hosts.
There have been rumors of Chile and even the United States as potential hosts.
The Argentina national team had a relaxed practice this Sunday morning at AFA’s training facility in Ezeiza, thinking about next Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Chile. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni organized a workout with some exercises with the ball, followed by 6 vs. 6 matches which ended with a big group barbecue on a sunny but cold day in Buenos Aires province.
Lionel Messi’s team made up of Juan Musso, Nicolás Otamendi, Nahuel Molina, Nicolás Tagliafico and Rodrigo De Paul were the winners of the 6 vs. 6 tournament. Here are some pictures from Sunday’s practice, via the Argentina Twitter account:
Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni has a decision to be made regaring the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and the Copa America.
It is World Cup qualifying week in South America and coach Lionel Scaloni has nearly everyone in training. Every player is presently with the squad but for Sergio Aguero who competed in Saturday’s Champions League final.
With the team training, Scaloni has yet to decide on the starting goalkeeper for the qualifier vs. Chile, this per a report by Ole. It’s between Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa and Franco Armani of River Plate.
Speaking with La Nacion a few days ago, here’s what Scaloni had to say regarding the goalkeepers:
“We called-up the goalkeepers because of their form, for us, it’s fundamental that they play. The Martinez now is not the same one from two years ago.
“Saying who is going to be the goalkeeper is not appropriate but we are very happy with everyone. Who is going to be the goalkeeper, I can’t say. It’s obvious that for us, Franco was always the goalkeeper but when the training sessions begin, we will see how the situation is going.”
That appears to be one of the two doubts in the team. The other is between Juan Foyth and Gonzalo Montiel for the right back spot. Per TyC Sports, here is the eleven vs. Chile:
Armani, Montiel/Foyth, Martinez Quarta, Pezzella, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Lo Celso, Di Maria; Messi, Lautaro Martinez
Congratulations to Willy Caballero on winning the Champions League with Chelsea as he becomes the 21st Argentine to win the tournament.
Willy Caballero has finally gotten a Champions League medal and also joins an elite group of players to win both the Champions League and the Copa Libertadores. When Chelsea defeated Manchester City on Saturday to win their second Champions League trophy, Caballero joined a very rare list of players to have won both tournaments.
In regards to Argentine players, Caballero is only the fourth Argentine to win the two biggest prizes in club football. He initially won the Copa Libertadores title in 2003 with Boca Juniors.
The first players to complete the historic double was Juan Pablo Sorin, who won the Champions League with Juventus in 1995-1996 and the Copa Libertadores with River Plate in 1996. Carlos Tevez was the second after winning the Copa Libertadores with Boca Juniors in 2003 and the Champions League with Manchester United in the 2007-2008 season.
Walter Samuel completed the Argentine trifecta in 2009-2010 when he won the Champions League with Inter to go along with the 2000 Copa Libertadores title he won with Boca Juniors. Only a select few players in general have managed to win both continental trophies.
In regards to the Champions League, Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano won the tournament five times in the 1950s with the record holders. Hector Rial also won five wih Madrid while Hector Olsen won it once in 1956-1957, also with Real Madrid. Luis Carniglia coached Real Madrid in 1958 and 1959 when they won the trophy. Rogelio Dominguez was a Real Madrid goalkeeper when he won it three times in 1958, 1959 and 1960 as part of the legendary Madrid teams.
Helenio Herrera was the first Argentine not related to Real Madrid to have won it as he coached Inter to the trophy in 1964 and in 1965, winning it twice.
As mentioned, Juan Pablo Sorin won it with Juventus before former Real Madrid captain won it with two different teams. Redondo won it in 1998 and 2000 with Real Madrid and in 2003 with Milan. Albano Bizzarri was with Madrid when they won it in 1999-2000 while Santiago Solari was with the club in 2001-2002 when they won the trophy. Jose Chamot in 2002-2003 lifted the trophy with Milan.
Lionel Messi first won it in 2006 with Barcelona before winning the treble in 2009, a double in 2011 and another treble in 2015 with the club. Maxi Lopez was also part of that 2005-2006 Barcelona team which won the Champions League.
Carlos Tevez became the first Argentine to win the trophy with an English club in 2008 with Manchester United. Gabriel Milito won it once in his career in 2010-2011 as part of that legendary Barcelona squad.
Javier Zanetti finally got his hands on a trophy that long eluded him when he captained Inter to their first treble in 2010 with Diego Milito, Walter Samuel and Esteban Cambiasso also in the team.
Another Javier, but this time Mascherano became the 20th Argentine to win it in 2010-2011 and once more in 2014-2015 when Barcelona won the treble. Angel Di Maria put on a man of the match performance in 2014 he won it with Real Madrid.
And finally, Willy Caballero joined the list on May 29 as he was part of the Chelsea squad which defeated Manchester City.
Congratulations to Willy Cabellero on the win!
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